Container

ABSTRACT

A container especially for storing, displaying and, under some conditions, shipping food and other perishable products. Preferred embodiments feature a stepped post member each step of which mounts a separable rack or tray which may have dual function. This post member is separably related to a base mounting a cap-like enclosure for the post-tray assembly. In certain embodiments the base is designed to provide a storage receptacle for the separable trays.

United States Patent Holmes et al.

1 Oct. 17, 1972 [54] CONTAINER 816,959 4/1906 Briganti ..312/126 X 2 724629 11/1953 Atchison ..3l2/305 X :R dW.Hlm'Eli bethE. m] Imam both l l f3,197,096 7/1965 Marcocchio ..312/305 x Wilmington, Ohio 45177 FOREIGNPATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 122] Filed: Dec. 8, 1970 309,654 4/1929 GreatBritain ..312/126 App! 96023 Primary Examiner-Paul l-l. GilliamAttorney-Jerome P. Bloom [52] US. Cl. ..312/l26, 312/136, 312/305, I

108/94 [57] ABSTRACT [51] Int. Cl ..A47f 3/14, A47f 3/06, A47b 88/00 Acontainer especially for storing, displaying and, under some conditions,shipping food and other Field of Search "312/105, perishable products.Preferred embodiments feature a 312/308 108/91 94 stepped post membereach step of which mounts a separable rack or tray which may have dualfunction. [56] Reerences Cited This post member is separably related toa base mounting a cap-like enclosure for the post-tray as- UNITED STATESPATENTS sembly. In certain embodiments the base is designed 694 1242/1902 w ter 108/94 X to provide a storage receptacle for the separabletrays.

ll'l 431,679 7/1890 Udell ..312/125 X 9 Claims, 5 llrawing Figures 22 /9is. 2 N

CONTAINER BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to acontainer concept particularly advantageous in creating containerdevices for storing and displaying perishable objects such as cookies,cupcakes, donuts and the like which require a relatively controlledenvironment. As heretofore known, devices of this class have generallycomprised an integral tray unit or a simple platter having a deep covershaped in the form of an inverted cup. The nature and character of thesedevices which have been previously available are such to make themunwieldly to use, difficult to store and of limited capacity andutility. They have been particularly disadvantageous for home use andcertainly have not lent themselves, in any form of their embodiment touse in shipping perishable articles.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a containerconcept which overcomes the problems inherent in use of the prior artdevices as above noted. In a preferred embodiment particularly adaptedfor home use, the invention provides an exceedingly simple knocked downconstruction the components of which consist of a base member, aseparable post, separable trays and a slip fit cap-like enclosure forthe assembly provided by the base, the post and the trays. As herecontemplated, the post is formed to have one end thereof press fit intothe center of the base and project perpendicular thereto. At locationsspaced longitudinally thereof the post is successively reduced indimension to form thereon a series of longitudinally spaced annularshoulders each of which provides an abutment to mount a separableannular tray. The central aperture in each tray member will differ incorrespondence with that portion of the post about which it is designedto slip fit.

As an additional element of the invention concept, either the describedpost member or the cup-like enclosure for the post-tray assembly, may bedesigned to serve as a receptacle for a medium to assist in maintaininga favorable environment for the products to be mounted on the trays.

Invention embodiments offer a compact storage, display or shipping unithaving considerable capacity for the purpose intended as well asoccupying a minimal space. As will be further described, the trays willpreferably be in a form to lend themselves for use as baking or eatingutensils if such should be desired. This enables the trays to serve adual function.

A primary object of the invention is to provide a simple and inexpensivemeans of displaying and for storing perishable goods, particularly bakedproducts, confections and the like, in the home.

Another object of the invention is to provide a container for perishableitems such as food products or the like capable of being readilyassembled or disassembled so as to occupy a minimal space when not inuse.

Another object of the invention is to provide a new and unique displaydevice for cookies and like products wherein the displayed trays maydually function as baking sheets, enabling thereby that the trays may betaken directly from the oven to storage without handling of the bakedproducts.

Another object of the invention is to provide a storage and displaydevice for perishable products which may be readily disassembled forcleaning and storage and be available for re-use as and when required.

A further object of the invention is to provide a new and improvedshipping container for fresh baked cookies and like perishable products.

An additional object of the invention is to provide a storage andcontainer device possessing the advantageous structural features, theinherent meritorious characteristics and the means and mode of useherein described.

With the above and other incidental objects in view as will more fullyappear in the specification, the invention intended to be protected byLetters Patent consists of the features of construction, the parts andcombinations thereof, and the mode of operation as hereinafter describedor illustrated in the accompanying drawings, or their equivalents.

Referring to the accompanying drawing wherein is shown one but obviouslynot necessarily the only form of embodiment of the invention,

FIG. 1 is a vertical view, in perspective, of a storage and displaydevice in accordance with one embodiment of the invention, portionsbeing shown in section for clarity of disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a vertical section of the device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 illustrates a tray device used in the invention embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary view, in cross section, illustrating amodification of the device as shown in FIG. 1; and

FIG. 5 illustrates a further embodiment of the invention, especiallyadapted for use as a mailing carton.

Like parts are indicated by similar characters of reference throughoutthe several views.

Referring to the drawings, FIGS. 1-3 illustrate a display and storagedevice for cookies or the like constituting an illustrative embodimentof the invention. The device, as shown, comprises a base 10 consistingof a pair of plates 11 and 12 of disc-form connected by and held in avertically spaced, substantially aligned, relation by three spacerelements 13. As seen in the drawings, the spacer elements 13interconnect peripheral portions of the plates in positions to define anarc of approximately The base so constructed provides thereby forstorage of trays of a nature and in a manner to be further described.Note should be taken that the upper plate 12 of the base 10 has formedin the center thereof an aperture 14 while connected with and projectedoutwardly from diametrically opposite outer peripheral positions thereofare loop-like handles 15.

Mounted on the plate 12 is a post member 16. Referring to FIG. 1, it maythere be seen that one end of the post 16 providing the base thereof hasformed integral therewith a short cylindrical stub adapted to be pressfit into the aperture 14 of the plate 12. When this is done the postmember 16 is frictionally held thereby to project perpendicular to theplate 12 and from the center of the base unit 10.

in dimension to have short longitudinally extended sections ofsuccessively smaller diameter in a sense directed outwardly of the baseplate 12. So stepped, at each of a series of equidistantly spacedpositions, the post member 16 provides thereon an annular shoulder 18formed in a plane perpendicular to its central axis. Releasablyassembled to the post member 16 so provided are a series of centrallyapertured plates 19, each of which defines a tray. No two plates willhave their central apertures of the same dimension. Noting FIGS. 1 and2, it will be seen that the lowermost of the plates 19 will have thelargest central aperture and each succeeding plate 19 thereabove willhave its central aperture successively reduced in dimension to slip fitabout that segment of the post which approaches the shoulder forming thebase therefor.

As shown, each of the trays 19 are perfectly fiat but the invention doescomprehend that the plates might, if desired, have upturned peripheralflanges. This last would be to form a peripheral enclosure for theproducts which are mounted to the tray.

Viewing the described apparatus in FIG. 1, the reduced upper extremity20 of the post 16 nests frictionally in a complementary recess in oneend of the cylindrical cap 22 the positioning of which contains theupper tray 19 in a fixed relation to the post segment. The verticallyuppermost end of the cylindrical cap 22 has a recess 25 which may serveas a receptacle for orange segments 26 or a similar medium for insuringmoisture and freshness in the invention container while perishableproducts such as cookies are stored on the trays 19 thereof. Attentionis directed to the fact that if the assembly of the post and trays onthe base is to be subjected to any potential rough handling, it iscontemplated that there may be positioned in immediately surroundingrelation to each of the post segments between the trays 19 a sleeve 27.Such sleeves 27 can serve to more securely position the trays to thepost shoulders which they abut.

Accordingly, the trays 19 may be easily slip fit to their respectivepositions as defined by the size of the central apertures and heldsecurely in place. The spacing between the trays as defined by thespacing between the shoulders formed on the post segment 16 will dependon the particular application. In the embodiment of FIG. 1 which isprimarily a showing of an invention embodiment for use in the home or inor on a showcase, the assembly of the post and trays is enclosed by acover of an inverted cup shape. Where desired there may be defined onthe plate 12 a projection for centering the cover or cap 30. Shown in anintegrated relation to the top center of the cap 30 is a handlefacilitating the removal thereof to provide access to the products onthe trays 19.

In accordance with the invention, as applied as a cookie or cake storagedevice, it is contemplated that the plates 19 be in the form of bakingsheets, preferably Teflon coated. Thus, in making cookies, for example,the fresh dough may be placed on the trays l9 and inserted in an oven.When the baking is completed, one can then take the trays of cookies,without touching the cookies at all, and place them on a post member 16as mounted to a base 10. As is self-evident, the trays can be readilyidentified as to their position by the differences in their apertures.Thus, one may successively slip the trays, according to the size of thecentral apertures, over the top of the post member 16 to seat to theappropriate shoulder and about the appropriate portion of the post. Oncethe cap 22 is applied to the top of the post, one can then apply thecover 30 and establish the freshly baked cookies in a relatively sealedcondition so as to enable their freshness and flavor to be preserved. Ofcourse, with a transparent cover 30, one can see the contents. It iscontemplated that there may be different cakes or cookies on the varioustrays and with the transparent cover one need only lift the cover to thelevel to expose the tray to which access is desired. Once theappropriate cakes or cookies are removed, the cover may be readily setback into place.

As will be obvious, the placement of the spacers 13 in the base unitenables ready insertion and storage of the trays when not in use. Sincethe post, the trays and the base are so readily separable, they may bereduced to a compact package when storage is desired.

Referring to FIG. 4, there shown is an alternate means for containingthe food freshener which one may desire to expose to the interior of thecontainer described. Here, the container for food freshener is made partof the cover and in this instance the device 22 of FIG. 1 of thedrawings may be a simple cap to top off the post and the series of traysor plates 19. As shown in FIG. 4, the cover 30' is structurally similarto the cover 30 and has a like purpose. In the top plate portion 32thereof, however, there is formed a central depression assuming theconfiguration of one-half a spherical shell 34. The depressed portion 34is provided with perforations and rimmed at the top of the cover by acylindrical projection 35. A cap-element 36 of hemi-sphericalconfiguration is frictionally coupled to the projection 35 to definewith the recessed portion 34 a hollowed chamber 33. Within this chamberfood freshening mediums may be applied, such as an orange or segmentsthereof, to provide means for moisturizing and maintaining theenvironment of the invention structure satisfactory to insuringfreshness of the contained products. The cover 30' may be readily liftedwith the fingers or may have a suitable handle or handles affixedthereto for such purpose in any manner desired. The details thereof arenot shown since in and of themselves they form no pertinent part of thepresent invention.

Looking now to FIG. 5 of the drawings, there shown is the inventionconcept adapted to an embodiment for use in shipping perishable productssuch as cookies and articles of like configuration. In this case we havea container wherein one end is formed by a disc-like plate 40 having asmall central aperture 41 and spaced inwardly from the outer rim thereofa short cylindrical projection 42. Applied perpendicular to the base 40is a post member 46 having a stepped configuration corresponding to thatof the post member 16 and projecting from the one or base end thereof astub-like element 47 adapted to be pressed into a friction fit with theplate 40 by insertion in its central aperture 41. Other than the centralaperture 41, the plate 40 is designed to be imperforate.

The post member 46, as noted, is cylindrically stepped to have segmentsof successively reduced dimension spaced outwardly from the plate 40 toform thereon longitudinally spaced annular shoulders 48. These shoulderslie in equidistantly spaced planes at right angles to the longitudinalaxis of the post. Each of the shoulders 48 so defined serve to mount anannular or centrally apertured tray 49 of a nature identical to theplates or trays 19 in the embodiment first described. In this case,superposed over the inner peripheral portion of each plate or tray 49,as it seats to its base shoulder 48, is a sleeve 43. The sleeves 43 soprovided extend between successively positioned trays in slip fitrelation to the post segments between the successive trays. In thisinstance as in the previous instance the trays have a generallyidentical outer peripheral dimension. Note, however, that in thismodification of the invention which is adapted for shipping purposesthat the shoulders are much more closely spaced so that as one tray issuperposed over the other, it, in effect, serves to contain the productson the tray therebelow. The uppermost tray is contained by a cap 50which may be in connection with the base of an elongate cup-like sleeve60. As the sleeve 60 is applied, it will have its open end seat to thebase 40 centered thereon by the projected circular flange. The cup-likedevice 60 is of course an elongate form to closely fit about the outerperipheral portions of the trays or plates 49 which mount the cookies orlike articles thereon. It is contemplated that a suitable sealing tapebe applied to join the sleeve-like cover 60 to the base 40. There isprovided thereby an optimally formed shipping container for perishablearticles having the advantages and utilities ascribed to the firstdescribed embodiment. Similarly, as in the case of the embodiment firstdescribed, provision may be made for a freshener or preservative toinsure that the contained articles will be maintained in optimalcondition until a time and point of use.

As is self-evident, the outer peripheral edges of the plates 49 may beflanged to form a peripheral enclosure for the articles mounted on thetrays. The resulting structure is acompletely closed unit in whichnormally readily fresh materials are positively supported on separatetrays in an optimally protected condition. The construction is such thatwhether it be made of paper, plastic or metal the components will offera highly reinforced mailing device optimally suited for the applicationindicated. When the device is made in paper fonn, it will be readilyobvious that while substantial utility is present, the device maynevertheless be fabricated in a highly economical manner and ofextremely inexpensive materials.

While the invention has been particularly described as having specialutility in the storage and shipping of delicacies such as cookies, itwill of course be obvious that the application of the invention is notso limited.

From the above description it will be apparent that there is thusprovided a device of the character described possessing the particularfeatures of advantage before enumerated as desirable, but whichobviously is susceptible of modification in its form, proportions,detail construction and arrangement of parts without departing from theprinciple involved or sacrificing any of its advantages.

While in order to comply with the statute the invention has beendescribed in language more or less specific as to structural features,it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the specificfeatures shown, but that the means and construction herein disclosedcomprise but one of several modes of putting the invention into effectand the invention is therefore claimed in any of its forms ormodifications within the legitimate and valid scope of the appendedclaims.

Having thus described our invention, we claim:

1. A container storage and/or display device, including a base, a postunit adapted to project perpendicularly of said base, a series of trays,said trays having through openings to releasably fit over the post unit,said post unit providing longitudinally spaced apart seats forindividual trays, means for releasably and successively holding saidtrays to said seats, and means mounted on said base as an enclosure forsaid trays adapting said device for use as a shipping container with orwithout subsequent use for storage and display, said trays extending attheir peripheries substantially into contacting relation tolongitudinally extending side walls of the means defining saidenclosure.

2. A container storage and/or display device, including a base, a postunit mounted on to project perpendicularly of said base, a series oftrays in a stacked relation on said post unit, said trays havinglongitudinal through openings to fit over the post unit and said postunit and the openings in said trays having complementary configurationsinherently to locate said trays in a longitudinally'spaced relationalong said post unit, the through openings in said trays beingdifferentially sized to agree with the cross sectional dimensions ofsaid post unit at different locations thereon providing seats for saidtrays so that the trays of said series are installed on said post unitin a determined order and are removed therefrom in a reverse order, saidpost unit being constructed to reduce in cross section progressivelyfrom said base outwardly thereof to define successive portions ofdecreased cross sectional dimensions, said portions at their oppositeends terminating in flanges forming said seats, the exterior of saidpost unit between said flanges being of uniform cross sectionaldimensions substantially matching the size of a through opening in oneonly of said series of trays, and cover means for enclosing said postmeans and said trays.

3. A container storage and/or display device, including a base, a postunit mounted on to project perpendicularly of said base, a series oftrays in a stacked relation on said post unit, said trays havinglongitudinal through openings to fit over the post unit and said postunit and the openings in said trays having complementary configurationsinherently to locate said trays in a longitudinally spaced relationalong said post unit, said post unit reducing in cross section in stepsoutwardly of said base to provide longitudinally spaced apart seats forsaid trays, said trays having a slip fit over said post unit to engageand rest on said seats, the through openings in said trays beingdifferentially sized to agree with the cross sectional dimensions ofsaid post unit at different respective seats so that the trays of saidseries are installed on said post unit in a determined order and areremoved therefrom in a reverse order, and a cap member fitted on to saidpost unit in a following relation to the outermost one of said series oftrays and positioning to hold said outermost tray to its seat on saidpost unit, and cover means seating about said post unit and said traysto form an enclosure therefore.

4. A device according to claim 3, characterized by other memberssleeve-like in configuration one of which is fitted over said post unitin a following relation the base and the other having said cap memberfitted thereto.

6. A device according to claim 3, wherein said base is laterallydimensioned to seat an inverted cup-like cover in enclosing relation tothe assembly comprising said post unit and parts mounted thereon, saidcap member having an outwardly facing recess to receive an additivehaving freshening or preserving effects within the enclosure defined bysaid cover.

7. A device according to claim 6, wherein said cap member is a partrecessed at opposite ends, said recessed ends being usableinterchangeably to fit over said post unit and to receive said additive.

8. A device according to claim 2, wherein said post unit has a base endreleasably seated to said base and a freely projecting end,characterized by a cover having an inverted cup-like form and seating onsaid base in a surrounding enclosing reiation to the assembly comprisingsaid post unit and said trays, said cover including a transverseouterportion mounting inwardly projected cap means recessed to interfitwith the freely projecting end of said post unit.

9. A device according to claim 8, characterized by separable sleevemembers corresponding in length substantially to the distance betweenthe spaced apart seats on said post unit, said sleeve members beingindividually fitted over said post unit in following relation torespective trays and cooperating with said cap means in maintaining saidtrays positioned on said seats.

1. A container storage and/or display device, including a base, a postunit adapted to project perpendicularly of said base, a series of trays,said trays having through openings to releasably fit over the post unit,said post unit providing longitudinally spaced apart seats forindividual trays, means for releasably and successively holding saidtrays to said seats, and means mounted on said base as an enclosure forsaid trays adapting said device for use as a shipping container with orwithout subsequent use for storage and display, said trays extending attheir peripheries substantially into contacting relation tolongitudinally extending side walls of the means defining saidenclosure.
 2. A container storage and/or display device, including abase, a post unit mounted on to project perpendicularly of said base, aseries of trays in a stacked relation on said post unit, said trayshaving longitudinal through openings to fit over the post unit and saidpost unit and the openings in said trays having complementaryconfigurations inherently to locate said trays in a longitudinallyspaced relation along said post unit, the through openings in said traysbeing differentially sized to agree with the cross sectional dimensionsof said post unit at different locations thereon providing seats forsaid trays so that the trays of said series are installed on said postunit in a determined order and are removed therefrom in a reverse order,said post unit being constructed to reduce in cross sectionprogressively from said base outwardly thereof to define successiveportions of decreased cross sectional dimensions, said portions at theiropposite ends terminating in flanges forming said seats, the exterior ofsaid post unit between said flanges being of uniform cross sectionaldimensions substantially matching the size of a through opening in oneonly of said series of trays, and cover means for enclosing said postmeans and said trays.
 3. A container sTorage and/or display device,including a base, a post unit mounted on to project perpendicularly ofsaid base, a series of trays in a stacked relation on said post unit,said trays having longitudinal through openings to fit over the postunit and said post unit and the openings in said trays havingcomplementary configurations inherently to locate said trays in alongitudinally spaced relation along said post unit, said post unitreducing in cross section in steps outwardly of said base to providelongitudinally spaced apart seats for said trays, said trays having aslip fit over said post unit to engage and rest on said seats, thethrough openings in said trays being differentially sized to agree withthe cross sectional dimensions of said post unit at different respectiveseats so that the trays of said series are installed on said post unitin a determined order and are removed therefrom in a reverse order, anda cap member fitted on to said post unit in a following relation to theoutermost one of said series of trays and positioning to hold saidoutermost tray to its seat on said post unit, and cover means seatingabout said post unit and said trays to form an enclosure therefore.
 4. Adevice according to claim 3, characterized by other members sleeve-likein configuration one of which is fitted over said post unit in afollowing relation to each installed tray between an innermost tray andsaid outermost tray, said other members being each abutted by anadjacent overlying tray to hold an adjacent underlying tray to a seat onsaid post unit.
 5. A device according to claim 4, wherein the assemblycomprising said base, said post unit, said series of trays, said capmember and said other members is comprised of individual separableparts, said post unit having protruding tips at its opposite ends, onebeing received into said base for mounting of the post unit to the baseand the other having said cap member fitted thereto.
 6. A deviceaccording to claim 3, wherein said base is laterally dimensioned to seatan inverted cup-like cover in enclosing relation to the assemblycomprising said post unit and parts mounted thereon, said cap memberhaving an outwardly facing recess to receive an additive havingfreshening or preserving effects within the enclosure defined by saidcover.
 7. A device according to claim 6, wherein said cap member is apart recessed at opposite ends, said recessed ends being usableinterchangeably to fit over said post unit and to receive said additive.8. A device according to claim 2, wherein said post unit has a base endreleasably seated to said base and a freely projecting end,characterized by a cover having an inverted cup-like form and seating onsaid base in a surrounding enclosing relation to the assembly comprisingsaid post unit and said trays, said cover including a transverse outerportion mounting inwardly projected cap means recessed to interfit withthe freely projecting end of said post unit.
 9. A device according toclaim 8, characterized by separable sleeve members corresponding inlength substantially to the distance between the spaced apart seats onsaid post unit, said sleeve members being individually fitted over saidpost unit in following relation to respective trays and cooperating withsaid cap means in maintaining said trays positioned on said seats.